It is claimed adults in Jersey should have a more positive approach to mathematics.

The comments were made by a lecturer from the University of Plymouth at a session being held for students at Highlands College.

Dr Jenny Sharp, a maths lecturer, is on the island to promote a greater awareness of the importance of studying the subject.

She says getting adults to view the subject positively is one of the biggest challenges.

Everyone can do numbers. We work with them everyday in our lives Dr Jenny Sharp

Dr Sharp has spent the last few days delivering sessions to local students at primary and secondary schools.

She said: "You speak to a lot of parents who say their children ask them for help with their homework, but they say: 'I can't do it'.

"I think it's important for the grown-ups to actually realise that they can do mathematics.

"They might not be able to do the high level mathematics but everyone can do numbers. We work with them everyday in our lives."

Helen Blake, a maths teacher at Victoria College, said that many students can cope with maths, despite its not having a very trendy image.

She said: "It's not exactly cool to say you can cope with mathematics. It's considered much more "with it" to say it's too difficult.

"But there are lots of students of here who wouldn't agree with that feeling, and they cope very well indeed."